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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: From the Mull of Galloway to Muckle Flugga - Scotland 2016
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
We're now a few days into the New Year, and it's time to put the old thread to bed (hopefully without too much of a headache!) and start a new one.
Happy new year, one and all!
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
I always wondered how Muckle Flugga was spelt. My Mum convinced my cousin it was a very bad word indeed when he was at the age to use language to shock. He went around muttering it to the complete bewilderment of anyone within hearing distance.
Huia
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Alan Cresswell
Mad Scientist 先生
# 31
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Posted
It can join Ecclefechan as sounding like a naughty word.
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Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.
Posts: 32413 | From: East Kilbride (Scotland) or 福島 | Registered: May 2001
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
Hi all!
I'm glad a specifically Scottish thread is opened, as it looks like me and the lady will soon be moving up to Edinburgh!
Would anyone have any good advice on what to think about? We're still looking for housing, and I myself will be looking at jobs in the area. (The Lady has been offered a very good position within the Police, being the reason for our move.)
As for housing, which ends would be particularly dodgy, and which are likely to be excessively pricey? What should one think about, moving to Edinburgh, as an English/Scandinavian couple currently residing in Surrey?
Any and all advice are more than welcome, as are invitations to social circles and of course, Shipmeets!
I look forward to hearing from you all!
All the best,
J.
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
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Posted
I am familiar with both Ecclefechan and Muckle Flugga. The tarts are indeed delicious, though the kind you can buy in the shops bear little resemblance to the amazing richness of the Real Thing. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
An die Freude, welcome (soon) to Scotland, and good luck with your house hunt in Edinburgh. The thing you have to know about Edinburgh is how a Very Posh Street can, within the space of two houses, morph into a Bad Area. Beware of anything that looks pleasingly cheap - it will not be in a good place. Nice housing in Edinburgh is very expensive.
Depending what you are looking for, it might also be worth having a look at the towns and villages around Edinburgh, from Musselburgh and Port Seton to the east, to Dalkeith/Loanhead/Penicuik to the South, to South Queensferry (confusingly) to the west. Just by stepping over the city border, the prices fall quite considerably. Further afield in commutersville, there are Linlithgow, Falkirk, and Livingston, which have good train links to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. A lot of folks also commute over the bridge from Dunfermline, Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay, etc, where you can buy a family house with a garden at a reasonable price.
Feel free to PM when you have more of an idea what you are looking for and where.
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"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Cottontail:
I am familiar with both Ecclefechan and Muckle Flugga. The tarts are indeed delicious, though the kind you can buy in the shops bear little resemblance to the amazing richness of the Real Thing.
Indeed true, although the Real Things aren't available in East Anglia! So we had to buy the others, which my wife said were a necessity for the New Year.
[ 05. January 2016, 08:20: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Those tarts are crying out for Creme Fraiche or Marscapone!
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
Paging North East Quine, paging North East Quine...
Are you OK? I know your area is being deluged at the moment....
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
We are indeed being deluged. The river Don is currently about a mile wide ![[Eek!]](eek.gif) but our flood plain hasn't been built on, so the flooding is mostly on grazing land(the animals have been moved off). Two of the roads out of the village are under water, and the trains are suspended meanwhile. I'm not sure if the track has flooded, or if it's just to allow a track inspection.
The village hall was open overnight, with supplies, in case anyone had to evacuate, but as far as I know, no-one did.
The council have left pallets of sandbags around, and a local builder has made his supply of sand available to anyone with a shovel who wants to fill bags.
In the next town along, two streets have been evacuated, with a further three under threat.
The rain is forecast to continue for another two days, so we'll have to wait and see what happens.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
We have the advantage that we can see the edge of the flooding from our upstairs windows, so can monitor the situation in warmth. The water would have to rise another couple of feet before it would reach our house, and given the width of the flood plain, I can't see that happening; I am not worried about us.
The North East Man isn't at work; his shortest route to work is flooded, as is (or was) his work car park, and his office heating has packed in, so he's working from home today.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
Glad to hear you're not afloat, and very much hoping you stay so...
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I came to Jesus and I found in him my star, my sun.
And in that light of life I'll walk 'til travelling days are done
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
An die Freude, I'm dead envious of you moving to Edinburgh - it's where I'd live if I had free choice and money no object! My sister and brother both live there (one in Morningside, one in Balerno, just outside Edinburgh in Midlothian), so I have excuses to go there whenever we're home on holiday.
As they've both lived there for 30+ years, I can't offer much in the way of advice about house-buying, although I suspect that both their houses would sell for a considerable amount more now than they paid for them!
Good luck, and happy hunting! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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chive
Ship's nude
# 208
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Posted
My sister's house in Ballater was flooded badly by the river Dee. Some of the pictures are unbelievable. My brother in law is away up there tomorrow to meet with the insurance people. At least it's their second home (inherited from my granny) and they weren't there at the time but the poor people who aren't as lucky.
It's very strange as I've been to Ballater regularly since I was a baby and next time I go the banks of the Dee will be completely different and all the views will have changed. Very odd.
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'Edward was the kind of man who thought there was no such thing as a lesbian, just a woman who hadn't done one-to-one Bible study with him.' Catherine Fox, Love to the Lost
Posts: 3542 | From: the cupboard under the stairs | Registered: May 2001
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
I'm sorry to hear about your sister's house, chive. The flooding on Deeside has been incredible. Bridges and roads have been lost; it will take months for life to return to normal.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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cattyish
Wuss in Boots
# 7829
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Posted
Ballater and Aboyne look pretty grim at present. I think the water is now receding, but it hasn't stopped raining yet.
Chive, that's sad about your sister's house. I hope it's fixable. I'm sure there will be some in that area in desperate states.
Cattyish, not wet yet.
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...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posts: 1794 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jul 2004
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
Is the Balmoral estate safe? One would not wish the Scottish monarch to be homeless at her age. ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
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Posted
An die Freude - for a small city, Embra (as the locals call it) has very distinct neihbourhoods. Are you looking for a house or a flat? A lot of inner Edinburgh accommodation is built in Stairs - a building of 3 to 5 storeys, each floor containing 2 or 3 flats, but sharing a common entrance, central stair and (usually) a 'back green' - to hang your washing in, ken. They vary enormously in size and character, from Single Ends (2 rooms essentially) to wonderful, spacious Georgian or Victorian abodes with cornices and ceiling roses.
Consider too the transport links. Edinburgh has good public transport, but many routes channel through the city centre. When the Festival/tourist season is at its height, it can feel like there are 7 billion people in the world and they're all on Princes St. If your partner is going to work in a particular location, start with that area and ones with good bus routes to it.
And asabove, feel free to pm me for info about specific areas.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Cottontail:
An die Freude, welcome (soon) to Scotland, and good luck with your house hunt in Edinburgh. The thing you have to know about Edinburgh is how a Very Posh Street can, within the space of two houses, morph into a Bad Area. Beware of anything that looks pleasingly cheap - it will not be in a good place. Nice housing in Edinburgh is very expensive.
Thanks for this advice! It's this kind of knowledge that is hard to acquire when reading about a city from afar. Me and the Lady are looking for a place to rent, while hoping that our time in the London-ish end of Surrey would have gotten us used to fairly high prices.
quote:
Originally posted by Piglet:
An die Freude, I'm dead envious of you moving to Edinburgh - it's where I'd live if I had free choice and money no object! My sister and brother both live there (one in Morningside, one in Balerno, just outside Edinburgh in Midlothian), so I have excuses to go there whenever we're home on holiday.
As they've both lived there for 30+ years, I can't offer much in the way of advice about house-buying, although I suspect that both their houses would sell for a considerable amount more now than they paid for them!
Good luck, and happy hunting!
Thank you! Sounds like a shipmeet waiting to happen! We're looking to rent, but I appreciate your nice words and encouragement, and look forward to meeting you one day!
quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
An die Freude - for a small city, Embra (as the locals call it) has very distinct neihbourhoods. Are you looking for a house or a flat? A lot of inner Edinburgh accommodation is built in Stairs - a building of 3 to 5 storeys, each floor containing 2 or 3 flats, but sharing a common entrance, central stair and (usually) a 'back green' - to hang your washing in, ken. They vary enormously in size and character, from Single Ends (2 rooms essentially) to wonderful, spacious Georgian or Victorian abodes with cornices and ceiling roses.
Consider too the transport links. Edinburgh has good public transport, but many routes channel through the city centre. When the Festival/tourist season is at its height, it can feel like there are 7 billion people in the world and they're all on Princes St. If your partner is going to work in a particular location, start with that area and ones with good bus routes to it.
I wouldn't imagine that Edinburgh is that small, but perhaps it's just (along with its apparent Swedish sibling, Gothenburg) one of the world's largest small cities?
Good to know about the housing though, and thank you for your offer to help via pm! I might take you (and others who have offered the same) up on that a little closer to our move!
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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Stercus Tauri
Shipmate
# 16668
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Ecclefechan is, of course, renowned for its tarts. Whether you think that sounds naughty is up to you.
I wonder if there any known connection to Eccles Cakes. Or does this investigative endeavour belong in the appropriately named Ship thread?
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Thay haif said. Quhat say thay, Lat thame say (George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal)
Posts: 905 | From: On the traditional lands of the Six Nations. | Registered: Sep 2011
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
The M6 motorway connects them pretty well - about 137 miles, according to G++gle Maps. ![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif)
[ 05. January 2016, 21:45: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
Posts: 9750 | From: The other side of the Severn | Registered: Sep 2009
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
Is the Balmoral estate safe? One would not wish the Scottish monarch to be homeless at her age.
The gardens at Birkhall are badly damaged and Brenda's neighbour has had to evacuate his castle.
The situation at Abergeldie is distressing, regardless of the fact that it is a castle. Part of history will be gone if it collapses. Our dear late Queen stayed with the Gordons in 1842 as she was viewing Balmoral with the intent to purchase. So glad the elderly Gordons have somewhere to go on their estate. It is doubtless more substantial than a tent. Lucky them!
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
I really hope that Abergeldie can be saved. Prior to the flood it was 60 feet away from the river, it is shocking that such a big chunk of land can be swept away like that.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Cottontail
Shipmate
# 12234
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Stercus Tauri:
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Ecclefechan is, of course, renowned for its tarts. Whether you think that sounds naughty is up to you.
I wonder if there any known connection to Eccles Cakes. Or does this investigative endeavour belong in the appropriately named Ship thread?
No connection whatsoever. You can take my word on this.
Btw, Ecclefechan, which Allan Cresswell says sounds like a rude word, is shortened by the locals to 'Fechan'. Try talking about the Fechan bus, the Fechan church, Fechan tarts ...
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"I don't think you ought to read so much theology," said Lord Peter. "It has a brutalizing influence."
Posts: 2377 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jan 2007
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
I really hope that Abergeldie can be saved. Prior to the flood it was 60 feet away from the river, it is shocking that such a big chunk of land can be swept away like that.
In the 21st century we tend to forget how such things as a surfeit (or lack, even) of water can change things so quickly.
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Uncle Pete:
...Our dear late Queen stayed with the Gordons in 1842 as she was viewing Balmoral with the intent to purchase...
Were you actually there at the time Pete?
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Surfing Madness
Shipmate
# 11087
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Posted
Slightly late to the Ecclefechan party. My friend with teenagers use the word Ecclefechan to mean a wet towel which has just been abandoned on the floor.
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I now blog about all my crafting! http://inspiredbybroadway.blogspot.co.uk
Posts: 1542 | From: searching for the jam | Registered: Feb 2006
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
Hey, Surfing Madness!
Presume you're OK too and not flooded out? Scary pics from your neck of the woods as well....
[ 06. January 2016, 13:42: Message edited by: kingsfold ]
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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Surfing Madness
Shipmate
# 11087
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by kingsfold:
Hey, Surfing Madness!
Presume you're OK too and not flooded out? Scary pics from your neck of the woods as well....
Dundee would need ALOT of water to flood, so we are fine. I know that people not that far out have had problems, friend who lives in Blairgowrie said that the road in to Dundee has been closed several times.
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I now blog about all my crafting! http://inspiredbybroadway.blogspot.co.uk
Posts: 1542 | From: searching for the jam | Registered: Feb 2006
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Stercus Tauri
Shipmate
# 16668
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by North East Quine:
We have the advantage that we can see the edge of the flooding from our upstairs windows, so can monitor the situation in warmth. The water would have to rise another couple of feet before it would reach our house, and given the width of the flood plain, I can't see that happening; I am not worried about us.
The North East Man isn't at work; his shortest route to work is flooded, as is (or was) his work car park, and his office heating has packed in, so he's working from home today.
How is it looking today? The BBC says your precise area is threatened right now. My family are all on high enough ground to be OK, but nobody can travel at all.
![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
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Thay haif said. Quhat say thay, Lat thame say (George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal)
Posts: 905 | From: On the traditional lands of the Six Nations. | Registered: Sep 2011
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
It's looking grim; not for us yet, but for quite a few people. I have never seen anything like it. The council have played a blinder and delivered hundreds (thousands?) of sandbags and they are all needed.
Lots of roads are closed by flooding, several villages are cut off.
It's supposed to peak with high tide at 1am; we will not be going to bed.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Surfing Madness
Shipmate
# 11087
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Posted
On the way home there were warning of heavy rain on the road signs. I wanted to throw a toddler style tantrum to make it stop......i didn't as I'm old enough to know it won't work!
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I now blog about all my crafting! http://inspiredbybroadway.blogspot.co.uk
Posts: 1542 | From: searching for the jam | Registered: Feb 2006
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
I just want it to stop, too. Just been out to check on an elderly neighbour and there's lots of people out in the chucking rain, checking up on each other.
It's getting steadily worse.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
We've not got a flooding risk here in Glasgow - thinking of you all.
And desperately wishing it would stop raining too! Feels like it's been raining since October....
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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Dafyd
Shipmate
# 5549
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Firenze:
When the Festival/tourist season is at its height, it can feel like there are 7 billion people in the world and they're all on Princes St.
Not at all. Half of them are on the Royal Mile.
I don't feel qualified to offer any general insights into the Edinburgh housing market, beyond Morningside is nice but expensive. (Though expensive by Edinburgh standards is not the same as expensive by London standards.)
[ 07. January 2016, 22:09: Message edited by: Dafyd ]
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we remain, thanks to original sin, much in love with talking about, rather than with, one another. Rowan Williams
Posts: 10567 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Feb 2004
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
Ok, to clarify, when I said that I wanted it to stop raining, I didn't mean that I wanted it to start snowing instead. ![[Waterworks]](graemlins/bawling.gif)
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
![[brick wall]](graemlins/brick_wall.gif) Oh dear. Still thinking of you all.
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
Neighbours standing in the street talking at past midnight, it's like hogmonay. Except we weren't ankle deep in water on hogmonay.
The water started coming along the street at 11. Our driveway is flooded but we moved the car in time. House is fine, we have sandbags at the door, but the water hasn't reached the door.
Some houses in the village are under 4 feet of water so we,ve been very lucky.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
NEQ and your neighbours.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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Sioni Sais
Shipmate
# 5713
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Posted
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"He isn't Doctor Who, he's The Doctor"
(Paul Sinha, BBC)
Posts: 24276 | From: Newport, Wales | Registered: Apr 2004
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kingsfold
Shipmate
# 1726
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Posted
Eek!
And . Please God, let it stop raining (and we're not too keen on the snow as a replacement!) to give the water a chance to try & drain.
Posts: 4473 | From: land of the wee midgie | Registered: Nov 2001
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North East Quine
Curious beastie
# 13049
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Posted
Yes, very grateful for fubar. One of their admins did a 24 hour shift. Facebook generally was invaluable, with people sharing information, lists of places to stay for people who were stranded on their way home, places providing free coffee, people with tumble driers willing to let others come and use them. The way the community functioned last night was awesome.
The water is dropping fast today. I pray that's it over.
Posts: 6414 | From: North East Scotland | Registered: Oct 2007
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Piglet
Islander
# 11803
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Posted
That is all.
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I may not be on an island any more, but I'm still an islander.
alto n a soprano who can read music
Posts: 20272 | From: Fredericton, NB, on a rather larger piece of rock | Registered: Sep 2006
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ArachnidinElmet
Shipmate
# 17346
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Posted
Blimey, yes. Seconded and thirded.
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'If a pleasant, straight-forward life is not possible then one must try to wriggle through by subtle manoeuvres' - Kafka
Posts: 1887 | From: the rhubarb triangle | Registered: Sep 2012
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An die Freude
Shipmate
# 14794
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Posted
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"I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable."
Walt Whitman
Formerly JFH
Posts: 851 | From: Proud Socialist Monarchy of Sweden | Registered: May 2009
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daisymay
St Elmo's Fire
# 1480
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Posted
Im going to the kirk Scottish in London this evening. It is always excellent.
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London
Flickr fotos
Posts: 11224 | From: London - originally Dundee, Blairgowrie etc... | Registered: Oct 2001
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